Cathedral Square to get multimillion-dollar upgrade
A $3.6 million spruce-up for two corners of Cathedral Square is likely to go ahead within months.
The southeast and west corners of the Square from Worcester St to Colombo St and on to Strand Lane will be completed in three phases and will include improved lighting and paving and new trees.
The work, unanimously approved by the Christchurch City Council’s infrastructure, transport and environment committee yesterday, is the first step toward the long-awaited rejuvenation of the Square. The council will have final sign-off on the plan.
The work is designed to coincide with the development of two new buildings in that part of the Square.
A council report said about 40 per cent of the paving in the area had some damage, and the lighting in the area ‘‘create[s] a sense of unease at night’’.
Phase one would rebuild the ‘‘buffer zones’’ directly around buildings on the southeast of the Square such as the Distinction Hotel and under-construction Spark Building, due to be finished late this year.
Phases two and three involved re-paving in the wider areas in front of the OGB building and Distinction Hotel, and at the southern end by the Spark building and the Aotea gifts buildings, also due to open later this year. Lighting would also be improved and new trees planted.
Paving in phases two and three would have a poutama pattern, developed with Matapopore, which represents the passing of knowledge, attainment, and the male and female lines of ancestry.
About 50 per cent of the current pavers would be reused. A fourth phase, which would consider transport to and through the Square, would be designed and consulted on separately.
If approved by the council, work was likely to start in July. Work on the rest of the Square was not likely to happen for several years.